What's happened
A cross-section of tributes and retrospectives marks Miles Davis’s centenary and Sonny Rollins’s passing, underscoring their enduring influence on jazz’s evolution, from cool restraint to fearless improvisation.
What's behind the headline?
Analysis
- Miles Davis’s centenary is prompting reassessments of his evolution across eras, with emphasis on restraint and boundary-pushing collaborations.
- Rollins’s obituary coverage highlights his lifelong improvisation and resilience, framing his career as a chronicle of the bebop to post-bop continuum.
- The narrative tension in reviews and remembrances lies in balancing lasting influence with the friction of personal demons and the changing jazz landscape.
- Readers should expect continued archival releases and a wave of anniversary features that influence how contemporary musicians position themselves within jazz history.
How we got here
The Scotsman and international outlets have been revisiting Miles Davis’s centenary while acknowledging Sonny Rollins’s death at 95. Coverage spans new gigs, archival assessments, and biographical retrospectives that frame how these figures shaped jazz’s path from bebop to fusion.
Our analysis
The Guardian reflects on Miles Davis’s broad influence and his evolving sound; New York Times Business and AP News document Sonny Rollins’s death with biographical depth; France 24 provides international context on Rollins’s legacy; The Scotsman reports live tributes and performances tied to the centenary; The Guardian and The Scotsman offer contemporary reflections on Davis’s enduring image and impact.
Go deeper
- What specific Miles Davis albums does today’s reporting cite as turning points?
- How are contemporary artists integrating Davis’s and Rollins’s approaches in their own work?
- What archival material is most anticipated for release?
More on these topics
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Sonny Rollins - American jazz saxophonist and composer (1930–2026)
Walter Theodore "Sonny" Rollins (September 7, 1930 – May 25, 2026) was an American jazz tenor saxophonist who is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential jazz musicians. In a seven-decade career, Rollins recorded more than 60 albums as a leader. His 1956 album Saxophone Colossus was selected for preservation by the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress in 2016. A number of his compositions, including "St. Thomas", "Oleo", "Doxy", and "Airegin", have become jazz standards. Rollins was often called "the greatest living improviser". He was the last survivor of the 57 jazz musicians depicted in the 1958 photograph A Great Day in Harlem. Sometimes known as "saxophone colossus", Rollins was awarded a lifetime Grammy Award and was honored with the Kennedy Center Honors in 2011. He was credited as a defining figure of the jazz genre.
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Miles Davis - American trumpeter and bandleader
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American trumpeter, bandleader and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music.
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Thelonious Monk - American pianist
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The Guardian - Newspaper
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Associated Press - News agency company
The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. Its members are U.S. newspapers and broadcasters.
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Edinburgh - Capital of Scotland
Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and one of its 32 council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian, it is located in Lothian on the Firth of Forth's southern shore.